Traffic signal controlled by vehicles



1936- T. TONE 2,050,637

TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLED BY VEHICLES Filed Aug. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l Imelda (m Aug. 11, 1936. TONE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLED BY VEHICLES Filed Aug. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 12471324207 G M4 jywzkfliiornqgs I W E mw m $3 G E W k 3 Aug. 11, 1936. TONE 2,050,637

TRAFFIC SIGNADCONTROLLED BY VEHiCLES Filed Aug. 4, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m: ii: I r f i l b' aqua Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLED BY vEmcLEs Thomas Tone, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to .General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application August 4, 1926, Serial No. 127,025 44 Claims. (01.177-337) This invention relates to a signal and particularly to a signal for controlling trafiic at street or roadway intersections or at the intersection of a street or roadway and a. railway. As is well known, such traffic signals are now used in cities at street intersections to regulate the'traflic on the streets and make the intersections safe for both vehicles and pedestrians.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a signal to be disposed at the intersection of two. or more thoroughfares to permit trafiic to proceed and to restrain traffic on said thoroughfares respectively at said intersection, together with vehicle operated means for setting said signal for said vehicle to proceed on one of said thoroughfares and to hold said signal so set until the vehicle passes said intersection.

It is another object of this invention, to provide a signal for directing the traflic at a thoroughfare intersection, with. vehicle operated means disposed in the thoroughfare at some distance from the signal adapted to be operated by a vehicle to set the signal for the vehicle to proceed, together with means for holding the signal so set for a certain period when said means is operated by subsequent vehicles to allow said vehicles respectively to pass the intersection before the signal is changed.

. It is still another object of the invention to provide a device as set forth in the preceding paragraph, together with stop means actuated by said vehicle operated means for preventing the signal being set by a vehicle on the other thoroughfare to allow said latter vehicle to proceed.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a signal adapted to be placed at a thoroughfare intersection and to permit traflic to proceed and to restrain traflic on said thoroughfare with vehicle operated means on both thoroughfares, spaced fromsaid signal for setting said signal for traffic to proceed, together with means for preventing the signal being continuously set for traflic to proceed on one thoroughfare longer than a certain definite period of time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a signal adapted to be disposed at a thoroughfare intersection and to permit traffic to proceed and to restrain tramc on said thoroughfares with vehicle operated means on both thoroughfares at a distance at each side of said signal together with means forgiving preference to a vehicle on the thoroughfare for which the signal was last set for traffic t9 proceed thereon, when said vehicle operated means are subsequently actuated on different thoroughfares simultaneously.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an electrically operated signal adapted to be disposed at a street intersection for regulating traffic on the streets of said intersection and having vehicle operated means spaced at a distance from said signal in said streets, and other means adapted to be operated by a pedestrian for controlling said signal.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in.which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view and wiring diagram of the device;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through a casing enclosing the operating mechanism for the device, some parts thereof being shown in plan;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line -of Fi 2;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of Fig? 2, Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a plan view ated members;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line I l-l I of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on line I 2--l 2 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 2 is shown a casing l5 having vertical walls, in which casing is largely disposed and housed the operating mechanism for the device. Spaced bearings l6 are secured to the bottom of said casing, in which is journaled a shaft I1 extending longitudinally of casing 15. Said shaft has secured to one end thereof a gear l8 meshing with the pinion l9 se-.

showing the vehicle opercured to the armature shaft of the driving motor in Fig. 7, said disk having adjacent its periphery a portion 2lb of insulating material and having adapted to be brought into alinement with the inner end of rod I4, said recess being spaced.

slightly circumferentially from rib 2l7', said rod, as shown in Fig. 6, being circular in cross section andsaid recess 2lo having curved sides so as to form cams adapted to move said rod on the rotation of said disk. The rod Ill'at its other end is pivotally connected to the end of one arm of the bell crank lever 85, which lever is pivoted adjacent its vertex portion to a support 86 extending inwardly from the side of the casing l5, the other arm of said bell crank lever having its end pivotally connected to a slide 81 having a '82 secured thereto and projecting inwardly therefrom, the inner end of which is in alinement with and at the outer side of bar 40 and a coiled compression spring 83 surrounds rod and is disposed between arm 82 and the end of casing l5. Another arm 84 is secured to bar 80 and projects inwardly therefrom adjacent the disk Hit and said disk has a recess 2lp in the flange thereof adapted to be brought into,alinement with arm 84, which recess is spaced slightly circumferentially from rib 2lk. Said recess 2lp is similar to the recess 2 l o in the disk 2H and has cam portions at its sides adapted to act on the cylindrical end of arm 84. The rod 80 is pivotally connected at one end to the end of one arm of the bell crank lever 15 which is pivotally connected adjacent its vertex portion to a support 16 extending from the side of casing l5, said bell crank lever having its other arm pivotally connected at its end to a slide Tl having an elongated slot 11a therein, into which project pins carried by a support 18 extending inward from the side of the casing l5. The slide I1 is adapted to have its inner end moved in and out of alinement with bar 48.

The solenoids 54 and 55 have the windings thereof connected in series in a circuit, with switches which are disposed in each street quite a distance from a signal 9| as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The switches 90 (see Figs. 9 to 12) are carried ina casing 92 which will be placed in the material 93 of the street, which casing is illustrated as of rectangular form with a closed bottom, which bottom .will be provided with suitable openings (not shown). The top of casing 92 has ribs 92a projecting inwardly from each side. Between the inner ends of the ribs 92 are disposed in spaced relation across the street, the housing members 94. Each housing 94 is supported centrally on its under side by a bracket 95 having a comparatively sharp edge extending transversely of the housing 94 and between raised portions or ribs 94a thereon. The bracket 95 is sepured to the central top portion of a leaf spring 96 having its end portions pivotally connected by the shackles 91 to lugs 98a extending inwardly from cylinders 99, which cylinders are rigidly supported from the casing 92 by the cross ribs I00 integrally connected to the sides of said said cylinders 99 are open and fit tightly over bosses projecting upwardly from a conduit llll which extends lengthwise of housing 94 in casing 92 and transversely of the street, and in which the conductors extending to the switches 99 are housed. The cylinders 99 also have lugs 99b projecting inwardly from the sides thereof, engaged by rods I02 which also extend across housing 94 and are secured thereto, said rods limiting the position of housing 94 as it is urged upwardly by spring 96. A plain: 98 is secured to the inside of each cylinder 99 and electrically insulated therefrom, which plate carries the upwardly projecting contact member 98a. A resilient plate 901) is also secured to the inner side of each cylinder 99 and electrically insulated therefrom, which plates have downwardly projecting contact points 980 thereon adapted to engage the contact points 90a. The (plates 98b also have upwardly projecting plugs 90d extending through openings in the top of cylinders 99 and adapted to be engaged by the housings 94 when the same are depressed, to cause engagement of contact points 90a and 90c.

The conductors which are connected respectively to the plates 90a and 98!) as shown .in

Fig. 1 and as later described are used to operate the solenoids 54 and 55 and as stated are connected in series with the windings thereof. The solenoids 54 and 55 are also provided with an auxiliary circuit including contact points Ill'la, one of which is carried by a pivoted armature I01 carried at one end of the solenoids 54 and 55. The rods 5| also carry arms I08 secured thereto, the ends of which are adapted to engage the ends of'the armature I01 and separate the contacts I010. when the cores 53 have moved into the solenoids 54 and 55.

The signal device 9| shown in Fig. l is illustrated as an upright post which will be supported in any suitable manner at the street intersection and the same has four sides facing the two streets intersecting, with the directing words Go,and Stop on said sides. It will be noted that the upper portion of the device has the words Stop and Go on opposite sides thereof and the lower portion has these words on opposite sides thereof in alternate arrangement. When the upper portion of the signal is displayed or illuminated as by the lamp I ill, the traflic will be allowed to proceed on the street running north and south as indicated by the letters N. S. in Fig. l, and traflic on the street running east and west, as indicated by the lettersE. W. will be restrained or stopped. When the lower portion of the signal is displayed or illuminated, as by lamp III, the traffic on the east and west street will be allowed to proceed and traflic on the northiand south street will be restrained or stopped.

-It is now common in cities to also control the pedestrian trafilc at. street intersections by the signal which controls the vehicle traflic. In the present apparatus means are provided by which pedestrians can control the signal and for this purpose signal controlling devices such as switches H2 are provided adjacent or inside the curbing H3 indicated in Fig. 1, which switches I I2 at each corner are arranged so that one will control the signal 9| to permit traflic to proceed on one street and the other will control the signal so as to permit trafiic to proceed on the other street.

In the operation of the signalling device the motor 20 will be constantly driven from some suitable source of power and the shaft l1 and the disk members 22 and 23 will be constantly rotated, a suitable battery or batteries or other source of power such as indicated at HM and M5.

in Fig. 1, being provided. The devices operated by the vehicle including the switches 95 will be disposed about fifty feet at each side of the signal or at such a distance that it will take about ten seconds for the vehicles to move from said device past the intersection when travelling at the ordinary speed at corners.

Assuming that the signal shown in Fig. 1 has.

its upper portion illuminated, the signal would be set for Go or for traflic to proceed on the north and south street. If a vehicle now approaches the signal on the east and west street from the west, it will pass over one of the housings 94 and will operate the switch 92 shown at the left in Fig. 1. This switch being closed, the solenoid 55 will be energized. The circuit for thus energizing the solenoid may be traced from battery II5 (seeFig. 1) through conductors M6, ll'l, switch 90, conductors M8 and H9, through the winding of the solenoid and conductor E20, to the other side of battery H5. Solenoid 55 being energized, the core 53 is drawn thereinto.

If the switch should be only closed fora very brief instant, provision is made for holding the solenoid energized until the core 53 has moved completely thereinto. As soon as the solenoid 55 is energized, the. armature m is pulled up and contacts I Illa are closed. If switch 90 opens, the solenoid circuit would then still be closed, the circuit therefor being made through conductors I20, through the winding, conductor l2I, contact points IBM, and then through conductor I22 to the other side of the battery M5.

When the core 53 has moved completely into the solenoid, the arm I08 will engage the upper portion of thearm I01 and will separate the contacts IIlIa, thus breaking the circuit for the solenoid winding which then becomes de-energized. The armature IIl'l is normally held open by a spring Ii. When core 53 moves into the solenoid 55, rod 5! is moved and after the lost motion in yoke 52 is taken up, the plunger 52] is moved to the right as seen in Fig. 2. Plunger 50 will engage one ormore of the pins 2 and move the same to the right, which pins will pass through member 22 and within the flange of disk 2Ii. As the pins and member 22 are revolving, the pins 24 will engagethe rib 2M which will at this time be substantially in the position shown in Fig. 5. The pin 24 willmove against the rib 2|:I' and the disk 2G2 and the commutator assembly 26 will be rotated. The brush Zlm, before therotation of member 20, occupied the position shown in Fig. 7. Upon rotation of the disk 2m, brush 2Im moves across the notch 20d to the opposite contact portion 2 l c and the upper portion of the signal'illis not now illuminated as lamp H0 is extinguished, and the lower portion oi the signal is illuminated as lamp fill is lighted. The circuit for lighting lamp ill may be traced from battery Md through conductors i222 and H211 to said lamp, conductor H2 3 to the brush 2612 of the disk 2 to at the right in Fig. 1, through the connection I23 between contact member 20g and the contact member 2lc now engaged by brush.

25m, through said brush and conductor R25 to the other side of battery 6 i l. The pin 26 continues to rotate the disk 202 until the latter is rotated through substantially 180. When the pin 2 1 is first moved into the disk 285, the collar 2&1) is moved so that one of the pins 25 snaps, or is moved inwardly by spring 27 in the rear of said collar. The pin is thus held in its inward position. As the member 22 rotates; the pin 26 passes under the cam 25 and is withdrawn so that the spring 25 can again move the pin 24 outward. The pin thus moves away from the rib 2H7 and releases the disk 2li-so that the same is no longer rotated. While the disk 2H2 is revolving through 180', the signal 99 has been maintained with the Go sign set for the east and west street. The speed of the shaft ill and of disk 2Ii is such that the-vehicle operating the signal will have time to pass the intersection before the signal is again changed, as the disk Zia must be revolved so that the brush 2Im again moves across one of gized. Thacircuit for energizing the solenoid 55' in this case can be traced through conductors H5, I26, I21, through switch 90, conductors I28, 1129, 9 through the solenoid winding, thence through conductor I20 to the other side of the battery H5.

When the pin 24 was moved inwardly by plunger- 52, collar 24c engaged the semi-annular plate 30 and moved bar 32 to the right as shown in Fig. 2.

Bell crank lever 36 was thus operated and the slide 38 moved inwardly in alinement with bar 40. It was thus impossible for the solenoid 54, even if energized, to move its core 53 and the rod 5I secured thereto, as this would be prevented by engagement of bar to with the slide 38. The pin 25 which was moved inwardly and moved the plate 30 will hold said plate in its inward position until collar 240 has moved with the member 220. through substantially 180 and until said pin is released by cam 28, after which spring 25 will retract said pin and spring 35 will again retract rod 32 and the stop slide 38 will be moved out of allnement with bar 40.

It will be noted that if subsequent vehicles going along the east and westv street pass over the housings 94 and operate the switch 90, that the solenoid 55 will be energized at each of such actuated and one of the pins 28 being moved in -.timcs. This will result in the plunger 50 being wardly through the member 22. This pin, howa pin 2d, the rod 32 is moved so that the stop slide 38 moves into alinement with bar 40 and remains therein through substantially 180 travel of member 22, or until the collar 24b on said pin can move out of engagement with its rod 25. This insures that the signal cannot be changed by a vehicle approaching on the north and south street until the vehicle which has passed the switch on the east and west street has had time to pass the intersection.

After the signal has been set for. Go" on the east and west street, if vehicles should approach on both streets and pass over and actuate the switches 96 therein at the same time, provision is made for giving preference to the vehicle approaching on the street for whichthe signal is set for traffic to proceed. When the disk 2Ii has been moved as described, the rib 2Igi on the disk 2Ii is substantially 180 from the position of rib 2Ik on the disk 2Ih and the depression 2 I0 in disk 2Ii is opposite or in alinement with arm 14. Spring 13 normally tends to move rod 10 to the right as shown in Fig. 2, so that arm 14 will enter the recess 2Io. Before this could happen, however, not only must arm 14 and the recess be in alinement, but the bar 48 must be moved to the right by the core 53 of solenoid 55, thus moving said bar 48 away from arm 72 and allowing the spring 13 to act.

When the signal as stated is set for Go on the east and west street, and the vehicle crosses the switch 90 on the north and south street, solenoid 54 will be actuated and bar 40 will thus be moved to the left as shown in Fig. 2, against the tension of spring 56. Spring 13 however has moved the rod 10 to the right and the stop slide 8'! is moved outwardly by bell crank lever 85, said slide moving into alinement with bar 40. This prevents a complete actuation of the solenoid 54 and prevents the plunger 50 at the right operating one of the pins 24. When the solenoid was initially operated, it only moved'far enough to take up the lost motion in the yoke 52.

When solenoid 55 is deenergized spring 56 will retract bar 48 and rod "I0 against the tension of spring 13. Stop 38 will be thrown against solenoid 54 upon complete actuation of solenoid 55 and will be released as already described. The dash pot 59 prevents a too quick actuation of the bar 48 under influence of spring 56. With this construction it is seen that when vehicles approach the signal on both streets and cross the street switches simultaneously, preference will be given to the vehicle on the streetfor which the signal is already set for t-rafiic to proceed.

As stated above, when the'signal has been set for trafiic to proceed on one street and subsequent vehicles pass over the street switch on the same street, the signal is held in its set position for the traflic to continue on said street. In order that traffic cannot be indefinitely stopped on one street,

the cams 60 are provided. When the solenoid 55 has been actuated as already described and rod 5| on the core 53 thereof moved to the right, the pin or arm 60a has been moved to the right in position to be acted upon by the cam 60. As stated, this cam moves at much lower speed, owingto the gearing described, than does shaft IT. The cam 60 is designed to make one revolution in about every two minutes. The cam 50 has a wide portion thereon, and as this wide portion comes into alinement with pin 60a, it will move back rod 5| and will prevent this rod being moved to the right for a considerably longer period than ten seconds. This will result in preventing subsequent vehicles which pass over the street switches on the east and west-street from operating any of the pins 24, to hold the signal in its Go position and will give opportunity for the other solenoid 54 which is operated by street switches on the other street to beactuated and to turn the signal for-traflic to proceed on said latter street. I

The above description has included only the operation of the solenoid 55 which is operated by the Fig. 1 on the north and south street is closed by a vehicle passing thereover, the solenoid 54 will be energized and the circuit for energizing said solenoid may be traced as follows: through conductor I30 from battery II5, through switch 90, conductors I3I, I32, through the winding of the solenoid 54 and conductor I33 to the other side of the battery I I 5. The solenoid will be energized and will pull up its armature I01 thus closing the contact points I0la. When switch 90 opens, the circuit will be closed through the solenoid from battery II5, through conductor I33, the winding of the solenoid 54, the contact points I0'Ia and armature I01, and conductors I34 and I30, to the other side of the battery I I5. When the solenoid core has completed its movement, the arm. I 08 will open the circuit by moving armature I01 as al-,

54 will also be operated and the circuit for energizing the same may be traced as follows: from battery II5 through conductors I30 and I35 through switch 90 and conductors I36 and I32 to the winding of the solenoid 54 and conductor I33 to the other side of the battery H5. The circuit for illuminating the top portion of the signal 9" by lamp I I0 may be traced as follows: from battery II4, through conductor I22, to lamp IIO through conductor I31 to brush 2m through the contact portion of disk 2Ie and its connection I38 with the contact portion- 2Ic of the central disk 2Ia, through brush 2 Im and conductor I25 to the other side of the battery I I4. It will be understood that when the solenoid 54 is operated the stop slide 46 will be moved into alinement with bar 48' by the plate 3| as already described in connection with the plate 30, so that solenoid 55 cannot be actuated to move its core fully therein for at least I0 seconds after a vehicle has passed over one of the street switches 90 which energizes solenoid 54. The cam 60 adjacent the sole-.- noid 54 will also prevent the signal being held for more than two minutes by vehicles passing on the north and south street, in the same manner as already described in connection with the cam 60 adjacent the solenoid 55. The apparatus is thus duplicated at each side of the casing I5 and the operation of the parts for the two streets is substantially identical.

The switches I I2 are provided at the corners of v the curbing or sidewalks of a street or roadway,

so that if a pedestrian wishes to cross the street,-

he may operate the signal to stop'traflic on one street and thus pass safely thereacross. It will be seen that the switches II2 are merely cut in north and south street, and the other is cut in across one of the switches 90 on the east and west street. One of the switches at each corner. will therefore operate solenoid 54 and the other one of said switches at each corner will operate solenoid 55. The switch I I2 at each corner which is connected to switch 90 on the north and south street is connected thereto by the conductors 211 which extend respectively from each of the contacts of switch II2 to each of the contacts of switch 90. The switch H2 at each of the corners which is connected to the switch 90 on the east and west street has each of its contacts or of the switch members90 and 90b. If the housing 94 is depressed at either end, it will be seen that'it will pivot about its support on bracket 95 and will contact one of the plugs 99d. The switches 90 will thus be closed'no matter over what part of the housing 94 the vehicles run. The housings 94 as shown in Fig. 9, extend across the street in transverse directions and in slightly spaced relation. It will also be understood-that these} housings could be placed so that the switches 90 will be operated by a street car or other vehicle moving on a track on the street. The switches 99 and housings 94 will have to extend across the greater portion of the street and from the center thereof to a point adjacent the curb. It will also be noticed that there is a space in casing 92 beneath the conduit Hill and the members 99 so that any moisture running into the casing 92 will not reach the switches 90 but will be drained away.

It will be noted that when the signal has been set fortrafiic to proceed on one street such as the east and west street and is being held so set for the vehicleto pass the intersection and in the meantime a vehicle operates the switch on the north and south street, the signal will change as soon as the vehicle on the east and west street has had time to pass the intersection or as soon as the shaft 11 has made substantially one-half revolution. This is due to the auxiliary circuit which holds the solenoid energized until the core as the vehicle or pedestrian has had time to cross the intersection or street, the solenoid which was stopped will then complete its movement and the signal will be changed for the vehicle or pedestrian which is .waitingto cross the intersection or street.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a comparatively simple and very eflicient device, for controlling the trafiic at intersecting streets. If the traffic is quite continuous on one street, it will be allowed to proceed on this street for a certain period of time.

This will result in speeding up traffic as the traffic is not arbitrarily held up on one street if there is no trafiic on the other, which is the case where the signal is arbitrarily changed at short periods for each street. At the same time thetrafiic on one street cannot monopolize the right of ,way. After a vehicle passes one of the switches 99, it is always assured of having sufiicient time-to pass the intersection before a'vehicle will be allowed to proceed on the other street, as the signal will be held for a certain period of time, which is ten seconds, before it can again be changed. This will be ample time for the vehicle to proceed from the street switch past the intersection, or for the pedestrian to cross the street.

It will, of course, be understood that various changesmay be made in the form, details, ar-

aoe eev rangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. In a traffic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon adapted alternately to be displayed to permit traflic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain trafiic on the other thoroughfare, of two constantly driven members one for each thoroughfare, means operated by said members for operating said signal for traffic to proceed on said thoroughfares respectively, a vehicle operated device in each thoroughfare comprising a switch respectivelyspaced a distance from said signal, circuits adapted to be closed by operation of said vehicle operated devices in said respective thoroughfares, means including a pair of solenoids operated respectively by closing of said circuits for causing said driven members to actuate said first mentioned means to set said signal and a stop means actuated by each of said solenoids to prevent operation of the other solenoid for a definite period.

2. In a trafiic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the inter- 0 section of two thoroughfares and having trafiic directing means thereon adapted alternately to be displayed to permit traffic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain trafllc on the other thoroughfare, of a constantly rotated shaft, a member journaled on said shaft having means for setting the signal for traffic to proceed on each thoroughfare alternately when rotated, a member for each thoroughfare secured to said shaft at each side of said member respectively, 40

' a vehicle operated device for each of said last mentioned members comprising a switch including a device disposed in each thoroughfare at each side of said signal, electrical circuits closed by operation of said vehicle operated devices, means actuated upon closing of said circuits to connect said first mentioned member to one of said second mentioned members to rotate said first mentioned member to set the signal for traflic to proceed on said thoroughfare in which said vehicle operated device was operated and means actuated by said last mentioned means to prevent said first mentioned member from being connected to the other of said second mentioned members during a certain period of rotation of said shaft;

3. In a traffic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon adapted alternately to be displayed to permit traffic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traffic on the other thoroughfare, of a constantly rotated shaft, a commutator element journaled on said shaftcomprising a central disk having semi-circular con- 5 tact members, a side disk at each side of said central disk having circular contact members, brushes respectively engaging said disks; means for setting said signal to permit trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare when said brush of the central disk is on one of said semi-circular contact members and to proceed on the other thoroughfare when said brush is in contact with the other of said semi-circular members, members rotatable with said shaft at each side of said com- 7 mutator element, vehicle operated devices in said thoroughfares at each side of said signal and at a distance therefrom, and means actuated by operation of said vehicle operated devices for connecting one of said last mentioned members to said commutator element to rotate the same to set said signal and to hold the same set during the rotation of said semi-circular contact member.

4. In a traflic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traflic directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to allow traffic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traffic on the other, of a constantly rotated shaft, a member journaled thereon adapted to operate said signal by the rotation thereof, a disk secured to said shaft at'each side of said member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins carried in each of said disks, a pair of plungers, one of which is respec-.

tively alined with said pins of each disk so that said pins pass in front thereof, solenoids for moving said plungers respectively to move one of said pins and connect one of said disks to said first mentioned member to operate said signal and vehicle operated switches disposed in said thoroughfares at each side of said signal for respectively energizing said solenoids.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, a storx for preventing operation of one of said solenoids after the other has been operated to connect one of said disks to said first mentioned member and means on each of said pins adapted to operate said stop when said pin is pushed in to connect its disk with said first mentioned member.

6. The structure set forth in claim 4, a stop for preventing operation of one of said solenoids after the other has been operated to connect one of said disks to said first mentioned member, means on each of said pins adapted to operate said stop when said pin is pushed in to connect its disk with said first mentioned member, means for holding said stop in position for a portion of the revolution of said disk and means for releasing said stop and restoring the same to its normal position.

7. The structure set forth in claim 4, a pair of cams journaled on said shaft, and driven therefrom at much less speed than said shaft,

and means on each of said plungers adapted to ceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traffic 'on the other thoroughfare, of a vehicle operated device in one of said thoroughfares spaced from said signal, means actuated by operation of said vehicle operated device for setting the signal to permit traffic to proceed on said thoroughfare, means for holding the signal so set for a determined period until said-vehicle has had time to pass said intersection, a vehicle operated device in the other thoroughfare, means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle oper- ,ated device for setting the signal to permit traffic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare, means operated by said first mentioned device when actuated by said vehicle or a' plurality of subsequent vehicles following said vehicle for preventing said signal being set by said last mentioned vehicle operated device for a certain pe-. riod after. said operation by said vehicle or after operation by the last of said plurality ofvehicles, and means whereby the means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle operated device will change the signal as soon as said period is ended.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, said vehicle operated device comprising a solenoid, a vehicle operated switch for energizing said solenoid and mechanism actuated by said solenoid for operating said first mentioned means, said solenoid having an auxiliary circuit holding the same energized after said vehicle operated switch is opened, and means for tie-energizing said solenoid after its complete operation.

10. In a traflic signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the ,intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon adapted to be displayed constantly and alternately to allow traflic to proceed on one thoroughfare and restrain traflic on another thoroughfare, of'traffic actuated means for said thoroughfares spaced from said signal at opposite sides of said signal for operation by a vehicle in motion, means actuated by said traflic operated means respectively to set said signal to direct traffic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare for a determined period of time, other means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing a change in said signal by a traflic operated means on the other thoroughfare for a certain period of time after operation of said other means, means automatically operated after a longer fixed period of time to render said other means inoperative so that the signal may be operated by one of the traffic operated means on said other thoroughfare to set said signal to direct trafllc to proceed on said other thoroughfare.

11. In a trafiic signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon constantly displayed and adapted to be displayed alternately to allow trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and restraining traffic on another thoroughfare, of a traflic operated means in each of said thoroughfares spaced from said signal at each side thereof constructed and arranged to be operated by a moving vehicle for setting the signal and preventing operation thereof by the traffic operated means upon the other thoroughfare for a definite period after each operation thereof to permit traflic to proceed on their respective thoroughfares, and a timing mechanism limiting the time that said trafiic operated means can control the signal by a plurality of operations of said traffic-operated means and rendering the signal operable by a trafiic operated means on another thoroughfare.

12. In a traffic signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the in- 4 tersection of two or more thoroughfares and hav ing traffic directing means thereon constantly by a first operation of a said traffic operated device in one thoroughfare when so setting the signal and by a plurality of subsequent operations of said trafiic operated device after said first operation and while the signal is so set thereby for preventing, for a definite period of time after each operation of said trafiic operated device, the operation of said signal by the traffic operated device of another thoroughfare should said lattertraflic operated device be actuated substantially at any time between the said first operation and the end of said last definite period but permitting an actuation as aforesaid of said latter traffic operated device to operate the signal after said last definite period has expired.

13. In a traffic signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having tramc directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to direct tramc to proceed on one thoroughfare and restraining tramc on another thoroughfare, of tramc oper-' erated by said tramc operating devices for another thoroughfare'to direct traffic to proceed thereon, and means for actuating said last mentioned means.

14. In a traffic signal device, the combination with ajsignal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to direct trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and restrain traific on another thoroughfare, of a trafiic-operated device for each of said thoroughfares, means actuated by a said device for setting said signal to direct tramc to proceed on one ofsaid thoroughfares, and means actuated by said means for holding the signal so set for a certain determined period of time for preventing the operation of the signal by tramc on the other of said thoroughfares, whereby tramc on said first mentioned thoroughfare after operating said device will have time to pass the intersection before the signal can be changed by the tramc operated device on the other thoroughfare and means acting automatically after a fixed period of time longer than said first mentioned period for rendering inoperative said last mentioned means whereby said signal may be actuated by operation of the trafiic operated device on the other thoroughfare.

15. In a traific signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having constantly operated means for directing traific to go on one thoroughfare and stop on the other, or vice versa, a'vehicle operated device in one of said thoroughfares for operating said signal to display a go sign on said thoroughfare and a stop sign on the other, means actuated by said device for holding the signal so set for a determined period of time to permit said vehicle to cross said intersection, a vehicle operated device on the other thoroughfare, means actuated by said latter device for setting said signal to display a go sign on said other gotc a? thoroughfare and a stop sign on said first mentioned thoroughfare, and means actuated by said first mentioned device when actuated by a plurality of subsequent vehicles for preventing said signal being set by said last mentioned means for a definite period of time after each of said vehicles operates said first mentioned vehicle operated device, should said second mentioned vehicle operated device be actuated substantially at any time between the said first operation of said first mentioned vehicle operated device and the end of said last definite period but permitting an actuation as aforesaid of said second mentioned vehicle operated device to operate the si nal after said last definite period has expired, whereby said subsequent vehicles operating said first mentioned device will respectively have .time to pass the intersection before the signal is changed by said last mentioned means.

16. The structure set forth in claim 15, and means whereby said means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle operated device will set said posed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares for directing tramc to go on one thoroughfare and stop onthe other, or vice versa,

having in combination, a signal having constantly displayed means for trafiic including lamps for directing trafic. to go on one thoroughfare and stop on the other, or vice versa, a vehicle operated device in one of said thoroughfares, means for operating said signal including an electrical circuit closed by saidvehicle operated device for illuminating one of said lamps operating to form a go sign on said thoroughfare and a stop sign on the other, means actuated by said device for holding the signal so set for a determined period of time to permit said vehicle to cross said intersection, a vehicle operated device on the other thoroughfare, means including an electrical circuit closed by said latter device for operating said signal and illuminating one of said lamps operating to form a go sign on said other thoroughfare and a stop sign on said first mentioned thoroughfare, and means actuated by said first mentioned device when actuated by a pinrality of subsequent vehicles for preventing said signal being set by said last mentioned means for a definite period of time after each of said vehicles operates said first mentioned vehicle operated device, should said second mentioned vehicle operated device be actuated substantially at any time between the said first operation of said first mentioned vehicle operated device and theend of said last definite period but permitting an actuation as aforesaid of said second mentioned vehicle operated device to operate the signal after said last definite period has expired, whereby said subsequent vehicles operating said first mentioned device will respectively have time to pass the intersectionbefore the signal is changed by said fourth mentioned means;

18. A trafiic signal device having in combination, a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having constantly illuminated trafiic directing means thereon including means for directing trafllc to go on one thoroughfare and stop on'th'e other thoroughfare, or vice versa, a tramc operated signal to direct trafic to proceed on said thoroughfare, a traffic operated device on the other thoroughfare, means actuated by operation of said last mentioned device for setting the signal for traffic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare, other means actuated by operation of said first mentioned traific operated device in so setting the signal and in a plurality of' subsequent operations thereof, while the signal is so set for preventing the signal being set by operation of said last mentioned trafiic operated device for a certain definite period of time starting anew after each operation of said other means within said period of time, and means whereby said means actuated by operation of said last mentioned trafiic operated device at substantially any time during said operations of said other means will change the signal as soon as said period of time has elapsed to direct traffic to proceed on the thoroughfare in Whichsaid last mentioned trafiic operated device is located.

19. A trafiic signal device adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares having in combination, a signal having illuminating means, a circuit containing certain of said illuminating means for causing said signal to direct tramc to go on one of said thoroughfares and stop on another of said thoroughfares when said circuit is closed, a circuit containing certain other of said illuminating means for causing said signal to direct trafiic to stop on said first mentioned thoroughfare and go on the other when said latter circuit is closed, means constantly closing one or the other of said circuits, a traffic operated device in each of said thoroughfares, means actuated by said traffic operated device for causing said last mentioned means to close one of said circuits and open the other, and means actuated by said last mentioned means to hold said closed circuit closed for a definite period of time after actuation of said traffic operated device and preventing closing of said other circuit for said period of time, and means acting automatically and independently of said traffic operated device after a longer period of time to permit said first mentioned means other than said illuminated means to open said closed circuit and close the other circuit.

20. A traffic signal device adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thorough fares having in combination, a. signal having illuminating means, a circuit containing certain of said illuminating means for causing said signal to direct trafiic to go on one thoroughfare and stop on another thoroughfare when said circuit is closed, a second circuit containing certain other of said illuminating means for causing said signal to direct traffic to stop on said first mentioned thoroughfare and go on the other when said second circuit is closed, means constantly operated to close one of said circuits and open the other, and vice versa, a traffic operated device in one of said thoroughfares, means actuated by operation of said device for causing said last mentioned means to close said first circuit and open said second circuit, a traffic operated device in the other thoroughfare, means actuated by operation of said last mentioned device for causing said first mentioned means to close said second circuit and open said first circuit, other means actuated by operation of said first mentioned traffic operated device in so closing said first circuit and in a plurality of subsequent operations thereof while said first circuit is still closed for preventing said first mentioned means from closing said second circuit 1 for a definite period of time starting anew after each operation of said other means within said period of time, and means whereby said means actuated by operation of said last mentioned traffic operated device at substantially any time during said operations of said other means will close said second circuit as soon as said period of time has elapsed, to direct traffic to proceed on said thoroughfare in which said last mentioned trafiic operated device is located.

21. A traffic signalling apparatus for intersecting traiiio thoroughfares having in combination, a right of way indicating device including illuminating means, electric circuits including certain of said illuminating means, some of which circuits are constantly closed for always giving a trafiic indication to said thoroughfares, a traffic actuated controller in each of said thoroughfares, mechanism operated when a moving vehicle passes over said controller, a right of way transferring device, means actuated by operation of said mechanism for giving a right of way indication for traffic to go on the thoroughfare in which said traffic actuated controller is operated, means including timing mechanism" cooperable therewith, to vary the duration of said right of way indication between a predetermined. minimum and a greater period of time, successive actuations of said first mentioned mechanism acting to cause duration of said right of way indication for a greater period than by a single actuation, and means for limiting duration of said right of way indication in the thoroughfare of said operated controller to a pre determined maximum amount.

22. A traffic signal device having in combination, a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares having traiiic directing means thereon simultaneously displayed to both thoroughfares and adapted to be displayed to alternately allow traffic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traffic on another thoroughfare, a vehicle-operated switch in each of said thoroughfares, a mechanism actuated by said switch and being constructed and arranged for operation by a moving vehicle or a plurality of vehicles following said vehicle to actuate said mechanism to set said signal to direct traffic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare for a definite period of timeafter each operation of said mechanism regardless of the operation of the switch in the other thoroughfare and a timing mechanism for limiting the total time that said signal can be held by a plu-, rality of vehicles to direct traffic to proceed on. said thoroughfare.

23. A traffic signal device having in combination, a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having trafic directing means thereon constantly displayed and adapted to be displayed alternately to allow trafficto proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traffic on another thoroughfare, a single switch at each side of said signal in each thoroughfare adapted to be operated by a single impulse given by a moving vehicle passing thereover or by subsequent moving vehicles, mechanism actuated by said switch for setting said signal to direct traffic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare when so operated and holding said signal set for a definite period after each opera,- tion of said mechanism and a timing mechanism for limiting to a definite time the period in which said signal can be held for so directing traffic.

24. In a trams signal device the combination I with a signal adapted to be disposed at the inter last mentioned means for holding the signal so set for a determined period to permit said vehicle to pass said intersection, a vehicle-operated device in the other thoroughfare, means actuated by said latter device for setting the signal to permit trafiic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare and means actuated by said first mentioned device when actuated by a plurality of subsequent vehicles for preventing said signal being set by said last mentioned vehicle-operated device for a certain definite period after each of said vehicles operates said first mentioned vehicle-operated device should said second mentionedvehicle-operated device be actuated substantially at any time'between the first operation of said first mentioned vehicle-operated device and the end of said last definite period but permitting an actuation as aforesaid of said second mentioned vehicle-operated device to operate the signal after said last definite period has expired, whereby said subsequent vehicles operating said first mentioned device will respectively have time to pass said intersection before said signal is changed by said fourth mentioned means.

25. The structure set forth in claim 24 and means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle operated device for changing said signal as soon as said last mentioned period has elapsed whereby the last of said subsequent vehicles has had time to pass the intersection.

26. In a traffic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traflicdirecting means thereon adapted alternately to be displayed to permit trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain trafilc on the other thoroughfare, of a vehicle-operated device in one of said thoroughfares spaced from said signal for setting said signal when operated by a vehicle to permit trafiic to proceed on said thoroughfare, means for holding said signal so set for a determined period until said vehicle has had time to pass said intersection, a vehicle-operated device in the other thoroughfare, means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle-operated device for setting said signal to permit traffic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare, other means operated by said first mentioned device when actuated by said vehicle or vehicles following said vehicle within a definite period for preventing said signal being set by said last mentioned ve hicle-operated device for a certain period starting anew after each operation of said other means within said period of time and means whereby the means actuated by said last mentioned vehicle-operated device at substantially any time during said operations of said other means will change said signal as soon as said latter period is ended.

27. In a trafiic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the in- I tersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traflic directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to direct traflie to proceed on one thoroughfare and restrain traific on another thoroughfare, a single traflic-operated device at each side of said signal in one of said thoroughfares adapted to be operated by one momentary impulse, means actuated by operation of either of said'devices for setting said signal to direct trafiic to proceed on said thoroughfare, a single traffic-operated device in another thoroughfare at each side of said signal adapted to be operated by one momentary impulse,

devices for a certain definite period starting anew 0 after each operation of said other means within said period of time, and means whereby said means actuated by operation of said last mentioned traffic-operated device at substantially any time during said operations of said first mentioned traffic operated devices will change said signal as soon as said period of time determined by said fourth mentioned means has elapsed to direct trafiic to proceed on the thoroughfare in which said last mentioned trafiic-operated devices are located.

28. In a traffic signal device the combination with a signal adapted tobe disposed at the intersection of two-or more thoroughfares and having traific directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to direct trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain trafiic on another thoroughfare, a trafiic-operated devicefor one of said thoroughfares, means actuated by operation of said device for setting said signal to direct traflic to proceed on said thoroughfare, a trafic-operated device on the other thoroughfare, means normally actuated by operation of said last mentioned device for setting the signal for traffic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare if said first mentioned device has not been operated fora certain definite period, other means actuated by operation of said first mentioned traffic-operated device in so setting said signal and in a plurality of subsequent operations thereof while the signal is so set for preventing said signal being set by any intermediate operation of said last mentioned trafficoperated device for a certain definite period of time after operation of said other means, means signal being set by any intermediate operation of said first mentioned traffic-operated device for a certain definite period of time after each operation of said additional means.

29. In a trafiic signal device the combination of a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two ormore thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon adapted to be disp needed? played alternately to direct traflic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain trafic on another thoroughfare, a ,trafiic-operated device in one of said thoroughfares, a second traffic-operated device in another of said thoroughfares, a pair of means respectively moved to off-normal position by operation of said devices for setting said signal to direct trafiic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare, other means moved to offnormal position for holding said signal so set for a definite period of time after operation of said other means, means independent of said trafficoperated devices for restoring said two first-mentioned means to normal positionwhen said period of time has elapsed whereby said signal may be changed by operation of said second mentioned trams-operated device, and means actuated by one of said pair of means respectively for holding said signal when operated by said first mentioned traffic-operated device and in a plurality of subsequent operations thereof, while said signal is so set for preventing said signal being set by operation of said other one of said pair of means when actuated by said second mentioned traffic-operated device for changing said signal until said period of time has elapsed to direct traflic to proceed on said thoroughfare in which said second mentioned traffic-operated device is located should said latter tramc-operated device be actuated substantially at any time between the said first operation and the end of said last definite period but permitting an actuation as aforesaid of said latter traffic-operated device to operate the signal after said last definite period has expired.

30. In a highway tramc signal system for intersecting highways, a signal for indicating Go and Stop signals to each highway, trafific-operated means associated with one highway for receiving an impulse, means operated by said means upon receiving said impulse for operating said signal to indicate Go on that highway and Stop on the other highway, a timing device associated with said first mentioned means for holding said signal so set for a predetermined time after said operation and for a predetermined time after each of a plurality of subsequent impulses received by said first mentioned means, tramc-operated means associated with the other highway for receiving an impulse and means for operating said signal to indicate Go on said other highway and Stop on said first mentioned highway after any intermediate operation of said trafic-operated means on said other highway as soon as said time has elapsed after the last operation of said traffic-operated means on said first mentioned highway.

31. In a highway trafiic signal system for intersecting highways, a signal, trafic-operated means associated with one highway and adapted to operate said signal to indicate Go on that highway and Stop on the other highway, a timing mechanism associated with said means for holding said signal so set, for a predetermined time after the operation of said means and after each of a plurality of subsequent operations of said means, a trafhc-operated means on the other highway, and a second timing means independent of said traff c-operated means arranged to permit operation of said signal by said traffic-operated means in the other highway after an intermediate actuation thereof and after a longer period of time than said first mentioned period of time, whereby vehicles passing on said first mentioned highway may not hold said signal over a period thoroughfare, a traflic operated device disposed at one fixed distance at each side of said signal in one of said thoroughfares, means actuated by operation of either of said devices for setting said signal to direct traffic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare, a traffic-operated device in another thoroughfare disposed at one fixed distance at each side of said signal, means actuated by operation of either of said last men-' tioned devices for setting said signal for trafiic to proceed on said last mentioned thoroughfare, other means actuated by operation of either of said first mentioned traflic-operated devices in so setting said signal and in a plurality of subsequent operations thereof while said signal is so set for preventing said signal being set by operation of said last mentioned traffic-operated devices for a certain definite period of time starting anew after each operation of said first mentioned trafic-operated devices within said period of time and means whereby said means actuated by operation of said last mentioned traffic-operated device at substantially any time during said operations of said first mentioned traffic-operated devices will change said signal as soon as said period of time determined by said third mentioned means has elapsed to direct traffic to proceed on the thoroughfare in which said last men tioned traffic-operated devices are located.

33. In a trafiic signal apparatus, the cornbination of a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of a plurality of thoroughfares and operable to disclose stop and go indications to said thoroughfares respectively, timing means. a vehicle-operated device located in one thoroughfare for operating said timing means to cause said signal to indicate Go to said thoroughfare and Stop to the other of said intersecting thoroughfares and for maintaining this signal for a predetermined minimum time after each operat on of said device, means for limiting to a predetermined maximum the time that the signal may be so maintained to give these indications, a vehicle-operated device on another of the intersecting thoroughfares and means operated by the momentary operation of said device by an approaching vehicle for causing said signal to indicate Go to said second thoroughfare and Stop to said first thoroughfare as soon as said timing means operates.

34. In a trafic signaling system the combination of a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of a plurality of thoroughfares and provided with traffic directing means adapted to alternately allow tramc to proceed and to stop on said thoroughfares, of a plurality of trafic-operated devices in, each of said thoroughfares spaced from said tramc directing means in the path of the approaching traffic, the devices of each street respectively being arranged to operate in multiple with each -other, means actuated by said devices on one thoroughfare for setting said signal to direct traffic to proceed on the last said thoroughfare, means actuated by said last mentioned meansfor holding the signal so'set for a certain determined period of time after being so set'and for preventing the operation of the signal by traflic on the other of said thoroughfares whereby traflic on said first men'- tioned thoroughfare after operating said device will have time to pass the intersection before the signal can he changed by the traffic-operated device on the other thoroughfare and means acting automatically after a fixed period of time longer than said first mentioned period for rendering inoperative said last mentioned means whereby said signal may be actuated by operation of the traflic-operated means on the other thoroughfare.

35. In a traffic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traflic directing means thereon adapted to be displayed alternately to allow traffic to proceed on one thoroughfare and restrain traffic on another thoroughfare, of traific-operated means for operating said signal comprising a constantly rotated shaft, a member journaled thereon and normally not driven comprising a switch adapted to be rotated to operate said signal, a disk secured to said shaft, one side of said disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins longitudinally movable therein, a plunger in front of which said pins successivelypass, means for moving said plunger to move one of said pins toward said member, means on said member engageable by said pin when so moved to connect said member to said disk to rotate said member to operate said signal and means for actuating said plunger.

36. The structure set forth in claim 35, said last mentioned means comprising a solenoid having a core connected to said plunger and said traflic operated means also comprising a switch and a circuit adapted to be closed by said switch for energizing said solenoid.

37. The structure set forth in claim 35, means for holding said pin in its pushed in position for a portion of the revolution of said disk and means for releasing and restoring said pin to normal position.

38. In a traflic signal device the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traflic directing means thereon constantly and alternately, displayed to allow trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traflic on another thoroughfare, of a traffic operated device for each of said thoroughfaresa plurality of means actuated by said devices, respectively for setting said signal normally at a uniform period after operation of its respective device to permit traffic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare, means actuated by one of said plurality of means for holding the signal continuously so set for a certain determined period of time after each of a plurality of operations of said device, and preventing the operation of said signal by the other of said means should the same be actuated by operation of its respective traflic operated device substantially at any time between the first of said plurality of operations and the end of said last determined period but permitting an actuation by said other of said plurality of means after said last determined period has expired whereby traflic after operating said device will have time to pass the intersection before the signal can be changed by the trafic operated device in the other thoroughfare.

39. In a tramc signal device the combination said devices respectively and including conducwith a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traffic directing means thereon alternately oprated to direct traffic to go on one thoroughfare and stop on another, a traflic operated device spaced 5 at opposite sides of said signal in both of said thoroughfares, means actuated by operation of one of said traflic operated devices to set said signal to direct traffic to go on its respective thoroughfare and means actuated by said oper- 0 ation or by a second operation of said device within a certain definite period to prevent setting of said signal by operation of the traflic operated device on the other thoroughfare for a certain definite 'period, after said operation or after said second operation, and means whereby when said second mentioned period is ended a traffic operated device on the other thoroughfare which has been operated during any of the aforesaid periods may cause a change in said signal and prevent operation thereof by said first mentioned traflic operated device for a definite period of time after each of two successive operations thereof. 40. A traffic signal device having in combination, a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having traffie directing members thereon constantly and a1- ternately displayed tov direct traflic to-proceed on one thoroughfare and to restrain traflic on another thoroughfare, of traffic operated devices in each of said thoroughfares, a pair of means respectively actuated by said traflic operated devices for setting said signal to direct traffic to proceed on the respective thoroughfares of said devices and to restrain trafllc on the other thoroughfares and means actuated by a first operation of one of said pair of means and coacting with the other in so setting the signal and by a plurality of subsequent operations thereof when actuated by said traflic operated devices after said first operation and while said signal is so set for preventing for a definite period of time after each operation thereof the operation of the other of said pair of means in response to an actuation by said traflic operated devices when said latter actuation occurs at any time between said first operation and the end of said last period of time, said other of said pair of means being adapted to change said signal after'the expiration,of said last period of time.

41. In a traflic signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and comprising astationary member having lamps mounted thereon, certain of said lamps being constantly andalternately illuminated to'constitute means directing trafllc togo on one thoroughfare and stop on the other thoroughfare, of a traffic-operated device for each thoroughfare, means actuated by tors extending to said lamps for operating said lamps to direct trafiic to.go on its respective thoroughfare and stop on the other, means actuated by a first operation. of one of said means when so operating said lamps and by a plurality of subsequent operations of said one means after said first operation and while the lamps are so operated thereby for preventing the operation of-said lamps by the other of said means for a definite period of time starting anew after each operation of said one means during said period of time if the traffic-operated device in said other thoroughfare has been operated at any time between said first operation and the end of said last mentioned definite period but whereby the on the other thoroughfare when said last mentioned period is ended.

42 A trafiic signal device having in combination, a stationary member adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two thoroughfares and having illuminating means mounted thereon constantly displayed to all of said thoroughfares, a circuit containing certain of said illuminating means, a. trafiic actuated device in one of said thoroughfares, means actuated by said trafilc actuated device for closing said circuit and setting said signal to direct traflic to go on one of said thoroughfares and stop on the other thoroughfare, a second circuit containing certain other of said illuminating means, a trailic actuated device in the other thoroughfare, means actuated by said last mentioned traflic actuated device for closing said second circuit and setting said signal to direct traffic to go on said other thoroughfare and stop on said one thoroughfare, one'or the other of said circuits being constantly closed, means actuated by a first operation of said second mentioned means and by a plurality of subsequent operations thereof to hold said first circuit closed and said signal set for a definite period of time after each of said operations of said second mentioned means and means preventing the operation of said third mentioned means to close said second circuit and set said signal if said trafiic actuated device in the other thoroughfare has been operated at any time between the first operation of said second mentioned means and the end of said last period, said third. mentioned means being adapted to change said signal after the expiration of said last period of time.

43. Ina traihc-signal device, the combination with a signal adapted to be disposed at the intersection of two or more thoroughfares and having traific directing means thereon constantly and alternately displayed to direct trafiic to proceed on one thoroughfare and restrain tramc on another thoroughfare, of a tramc actuated device for each thoroughfare for setting the signal to direct trafiic to proceed on its respective thoroughfare, and means for each thoroughfare operated respectively by a first actuation of a said traffic actuated device when setting the signal in its said lamps are changed by such an actuation thoroughfare, and by a plurality of subsequent actuations thereof while the signal is so set, for preventing for a definite period of time after each actuation of said traflic operated device for setting of said signal by the traffic actuated device of another thoroughfare should said latter traflic actuated device be actuated substantially at any time between the said first actuation and the end of said last definite period, whereby said latter traflic actuated device of another thoroughfare cannot change said signal until the last of to restrain traflic on the other of saidithoroughfares respectively, a traflic operated device in one of said thoroughfares, means normally actuated by operation of vsaid device for setting said directing means to direct trafiic to proceed on said thoroughfare and responsive to a plurality of subsequent operations of said device while the signal is so set for maintaining said signals so set for a definite period of time after each of said operations of said device, means for rendering said last-mentioned means inoperative at the end of a time period longer than said first-mentioned time periods, a vehicle operated device in said second thoroughfare, means normally op,- erated thereby for setting said directing means to indicate traflic to proceed on said second thoroughfare and for maintaining said signals so set for a definite period after each of a plurality of operations of said second device while the signal is so set, means for rendering said last-mentioned means inoperative to maintain said proceed indication in said second thoroughfare after a time period longer than the said first-mentioned periods, and means in each thoroughfare operable to change said directing means responsive to any intermediate operation of the trafiic operated devices in the thoroughfare not having the proceed indication at the end of said longer period or at the end of the last of aid short periods if the total length of the shorter periods is less than the said longer period.

a THOMAS TONE. 

